US F1 boss Peter Windsor refutes Bernie Ecclestone's suggestion that the American team will not make it to the grid next season, insisting that his team's programme is on course.

Speaking to the Times, Ecclestone suggested that two teams won't make it to the grid next March, though he omitted to name them. However, with little in the way of hard evidence to the contrary, most assume that one of the teams he is referring to is US F1.

However, speaking to BBC Sport, Windsor dismissed Ecclestone's scepticism. "I'm surprised Bernie said that," said the Australian. "We will be there. We're in good shape.

"Everything is going well and we are looking forward to the year," he added. "We've just finished the chassis and are now in the hands of Cosworth."

The North Carolina based outfit is the only team yet to name at least one of its drivers, however, Windsor insists that nothing should be read into this.

"We are trying to find the best drivers we can, there's no rush," he said. "We have no date," he added, when asked when the team's car might be unveiled. "It's difficult to predict when that date would be. However, there will be a moment when we announce the drivers at the factory and that will be some time towards late January."

Argentine racer Jose Maria Lopez recently claimed that he had essentially secured a deal to drive for the team, the deal being dependent on the youngster finding up to $8m in sponsorship. Previously, Windsor had insisted that his team was not interested in pay drivers.